Locks Twelve To Eighteen
Located in St.Catharines - Thorold, Ontario
Just off of Glendale Avenue behind the Fourth Welland Canal, is an area known as the Welland Canal Wetlands. It is given this term as there is a large chunk of the Third Welland Canal which stands in its glory. There is some natural decay on the locks but they are in really good condition with overflow water flowing through them. While this place is on Seaway Property, it is a great hike with lots of history, and a great place to take the family for an afternoon.
Please use caution in this area though, as one, it is Seaway Property and two, this area is used a lot for dirtbikers and ATV'ers so please be careful!
Lock Twelve
When you turn in to the Wetlands area from Glendale, you go around a left hand turn bend. It is here you will see a lock to your right hand side. This is Lock Twelve. Lock Twelve is in great shape at one end, and crumbling away at the other. The more bricks that fall over time, eventually the lock will just crash in upon itself!
Here are some pictures of Lock Twelve.
Lock Thirteen
On the left hand side, as you go around another left turn bend, you will see two tubes sticking out of a rock wall. Lock thirteen is located directly behind it.
Here are some pictures of Lock Thirteen.
Lock Fourteen
Hiking along the trails, the next lock you will come to is lock fourteen. You can stand right at the bottom of the lock and just be amazed at how large it is, which is pretty impressive considering these were used in the 1880's.
Here are some pictures of Lock Fourteen
Lock Fifteen
Next along the trail is lock fifteen. At the rear of the lock you can sit by the waterfall, and just take in the scenary. Of course, one part of it is ruined as someone decided to spray graffiti on it.
Here are some pictures of Lock Fifteen
Lock Sixteen
Continuing on, the next lock on the hike is lock sixteen. Lock Sixteen for some reason always contains car wrecks, once again, violating the history that this place represents.
Here are some pictures of Lock Sixteen
Lock Seventeen
Down the path from sixteen, you will cross some railroad tracks (BE VERY CAREFUL HERE AS THIS IS AN ACTIVE TRACK), you will come to lock seventeen. This is one of the most photographed old locks as it is very scenic next to the railbridge.
Here are some pictures of Lock Seventeen
Lock Eighteen
While this one is tricky to get to, it is quite the view! Nestled within the forest area, Lock Eighteen is a popular spot for fishing for some reason. Numerous times, I have seen people fishing in this lock.
Here are some pictures of Lock Eighteen
The Pumphouse
After emerging from the forest and back to the road, the end of the trip is marked by the Pumphouse. This facility ensures that the current Welland Canal does not flood by controlling the water level. When it gets too high the gates open to release water down the Third Welland Canal to balance out water levels.
Here are some pictures of the Pumphouse
GTR Railroad Tunnel
At the time of the Third Welland Canal, the Grand Trunk Railway company built a tunnel underneath the canal to continue its path to Niagara Falls. The tunnel is a beautiful site to see! Built out of limestone, with wooden rafters and floors, this tunnel was quite the feat of engineering at the time. Today it is starting to show its age, as water drips in from the ceiling, in the middle portion. Unfortunately, disrespectful people used this place as a party zone, graffiting and littering all over the place, so the Seaway Authority bricked it up, however the vandalism continues. Also the tunnel itself is rumoured to be haunted, hence the nickname The Blue Ghost Tunnel. I, myself have done an investigation there!
Here are some pictures of the GTR Tunnel
Various Other Items
Since there are too many to list, I will just sum it up. Along the entire trail, there are numerous other items of interest. There are weirs, bullards, hardware amongst other things to find in the area. If you are hiking this area, please show the utmost respect and courtesy for the history of this area and maybe we can help stop the needless vandalism that keeps occuring in this are.
Here are just a few items you will see on your hike
